By Jehoshaphat Kanyoro Njaro
In a dramatic conclusion to a lengthy manhunt, detectives have arrested Fred Cheluba Murunga, the man suspected of brutally killing his employer, Mzee Paul Njuguna Kamau, with a machete.
The arrest brings an end to a case that has haunted the Murang’a County community since September 22, 2022.The tragic incident unfolded in Kerandi village, Kigumo, where Murunga, who had worked as Kamau’s farmhand for a year and a half, allegedly turned on his employer.
On that fateful morning, Murunga sent Kamau’s 12-year-old grandchild to a nearby shop. Seizing the moment when they were alone, he reportedly attacked Kamau with a machete.
The young boy returned to find his grandfather in the kitchen, locked in and crying out in pain. His cries for help attracted the attention of neighbors who quickly gathered at the homestead. Despite their efforts, they arrived too late.
Kamau’s lifeless body, drenched in blood, was discovered with the murder weapon beside him.Following the murder, enraged villagers sought Murunga, who had disappeared along with Kamau’s motorcycle and mobile phone.
Investigations revealed that these items had been sold in Eldoret, providing crucial leads for the detectives.Kigumo DCI officers, with assistance from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB), maintained a relentless pursuit of Murunga.
Despite the family’s diminishing hopes, the detectives persisted, eventually locating Murunga at a security firm in Ruiru, where he was seeking employment.
The arrest marks a significant milestone in the quest for justice for Mzee Kamau and his grieving family, who endured over 20 months of uncertainty and grief.
As the community breathes a collective sigh of relief, attention now turns to the legal proceedings that will follow.